Young Runners Looking to Go Long in Grade III Iroquois

Mr. Z broke his maiden going six furlongs at Churchill June 28 before shipping to Saratoga where he recorded a pair of second place finishes in the Grade III Sanford and Grade II Saratoga Special.  In both races, Mr. Z experienced troubled trips and projects as a horse that will appreciate more distance.  With a bullet workout September 1 at Churchill (fastest of 67 runners, working four furlongs in 47 flat) in the holster, Mr. Z appears primed.

Hashtga Bourbon already a stakes victor 

Hashtag Bourbon (4/1) is the lone stakes winner in the field as he dominated the Mountaineer Juvenile field by four lengths August 2 in West Virginia.  That race, however, was at six furlongs and like Mr. Z, Hastag Bourbon will need to prove his ability to race around two turns.   As a son of 2010 Kentucky Derby Winner Super Saver, pedigree is in Hashtag Bourbon’s favor. Trainer Kellyn Gorder connects with 20% of his starters making the move from sprint to route.

Bold Conquest looks to have it in the bloodlines     

Maiden special weight winner, Bold Conquest (4/1 ML), is another stretch-out sprinter with a distance-oriented pedigree.  The Steve Asmussen trainee is a son of 2007 and 2008 Horse of the Year Curlin, who won the Breeder’s Cup Classic, Dubai World Cup and the Jockey Club Gold Cup -all at a mile and a quarter.